The Careers Service Careers Day Interviews Interview essentials

The Careers Service. Careers Day Interviews § Interview essentials § Mock interview § Q&A § Top tips

The Careers Service. What to expect? 2

The Careers Service. 3 Types of interview § One to one § Panel interview § Telephone § Interview+ § Presentation § Psychometric exercise § Written exercise § Competency-based § Strengths-based § Technical You need to be ready for anything!

The Careers Service. 4 What recruiters look for. . . Why you want the job • Understanding of the role, enthusiasm and genuine interest in the job - motivation Why you want that company • Knowledge and genuine interest in the company/sector Why you are suitable for the job • Experience – University, projects, work - what you gained • Skills (competency based questions) – your potential • Knowledge - about the subject / role, organisation and sector, technical knowledge • Hypothetical questions – reacting under pressure, judgement

The Careers Service. 5 Preparation 1: Research the job/company Research: § Job description, duties, skills and competencies required § History and structure § Products and services § Clients & competitors § Annual report and website § Press articles (news sites, professional bodies etc § Personal contacts – e. g. from careers fair/ employer presentations § Social media, Twitter etc § Philosophy and ethos § Significant recent developments in the company/industry Researching the organisation: www. careers. dept. shef. ac. uk/info tree/Employers. php

The Careers Service. Preparation 2: Know yourself! Remind yourself: § What did you put on your application form/ CV? § Review your other skills and experiences § What are your key selling points? § Have examples and STAR stories ready § Situation § Task § Action § Results 6

The Careers Service. 7 Preparation 3: Focus on how you want to present yourself § 8% is interpreted from the words we use § 37% from our voice – speed, tone, pitch, rhythm, volume etc. § 55% is what the other person sees from our body language

The Careers Service. 8 Body Language – First Impressions § Is it a positive or negative one? § Firm handshake? § Do you look pleased to be there? § Do you present the right ‘professional image? § Are you appropriately dressed?

The Careers Service. 9 Body Language – Non verbal communication § Eye contact § Body posture / movements § Voice § Speech patterns § Facial expression

The Careers Service. Typical questions Motivations questions Competency questions: Strengths based questions Hypothetical questions Technical questions 10 Motivations questions Competency questions: § Why Whatdo is your you want greatest this job to date and § achievement Why do you want to work why? for this(Achievement company? Strengths based questions orientation) Describe an occasion § What makes a good day for Hypothetical questions when you have had to you? § work What would youtodo if. . . with others § What do you do when you achieve a goal. (Team find a task boring? work) § How do you always make § Tell a time sureme youabout do your best? when you have had to § If you had a couple of hours overcome a free at work, what would disappointment or you do? setback. (Resilience/ self § How do you handle working confidence) with people you don’t like?

The Careers Service. 11 Chance to practise. . . • Tell me about yourself? • What’s your biggest achievement to date and why? • Tell me of a time you have worked in a team to achieve a goal. • How did your contribute to the success of the task? • How did you manage the project and ensure you met your deadline? • How do you handle a task when you find it difficult or boring? • Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

The Careers Service. Review and feedback

The Careers Service. Any Questions?

The Careers Service. Top Tips § Alumni / employer suggestions § Have confidence § Be friendly § Prepare! Know about the job role/company § Go in with an agenda of things you want to tell them § Prepare the evidence of your knowledge, experience and skills § Rehearse telling your STAR stories § Your ‘greatest achievement’ doesn’t have to be world peace! § Have a question(s) for them

The Careers Service. After the interview § Reflect – record – discuss § Remember what you did well § Think of how you could improve your other responses If you aren’t successful: § Ask for feedback from the interviewer § Talk to a Careers Adviser § Keep trying – you’re nearly there! 15

The Careers Service. RESOURCES § Prospects website ‘Applications and Interview’ www. prospects. ac. uk/links/interviews § The Careers Service website www. sheffield. ac. uk/careers/students/gettingajob/interviews. html § Interviews – Online Talks - http: //www. sheffield. ac. uk/careers/students/gettingajob § ‘Interviewer’ – interactive interview practice § ‘Interviews and Assessment Centres’ booklets § Reference books in abundance! 16

The Careers Service. Any Questions?